Can Stress Trigger Asthma?

ANSWER:

Stress can trigger asthma.

More Info: Stress is a common trigger for an asthma attack. Stress can cause you to feel anxious and short of breath which can exacerbate your asthma symptoms. Fortunately, unlike other asthma triggers, you can attempt to manage your stress better to avoid triggering your asthma.

How to Manage Stress Triggered Asthma

Asthma sufferers can manage stress triggered asthma by learning to relax before they feel stressed. Effective stress management prevents the shortness of breath, anxiety, and panic that leads to asthma attacks and emergency situations. Choosing to change negative thought patterns, reduce major life stressors, and avoid stressful situations are three good ways to manage stress. A healthy diet, daily exercise, adequate sleep, and a good support system of family and friends are also essential for asthma sufferers. Asthma, anxiety, panic, and stress create a vicious cycle for people with asthma. Learning to manage stress triggered asthma can prevent an asthma emergency.

How to Identify Your Asthma Triggers

You can identify your asthma triggers by observing what is around you or what you are doing at the time you had an episode. Keep track of these observations to determine what is common each time. Keep an asthma diary handy to write these observations down. Things to look out for are environmental triggers such as smoke, high pollen content, dust or mold, high air pollution, or even a common cold. Asthma can also be caused by allergies to food, food additives, or pets. Get tested for allergies so that you are aware that these sensitivities may also cause an asthma attack.